Graduate Research

Graduate students work with faculty mentors on the entire spectrum of research projects.

Thousands of original research projects are undertaken each year by UCLA graduate and professional students, working as part of a team or independently. Their research may create scientific and medical advances, address urgent societal problems or deepen understanding of arts and cultures.

In May 2017, UCLA psychology graduate student Leslie Rith-Najarian won the University of California Grad Slam competition with her research on interventions to prevent anxiety and depression among college students. Grad Slam’s three-minute time limit challenges graduate students to communicate their work in a way that’s understandable to the general public.

Only one graduate student wins Grad Slam, but all students have the opportunity to shape research questions and advance knowledge in their chosen field.